The Diamond in the Rough

Lunch continued in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

For the first time since being expelled from school, Yūto felt at ease.

William and David spent most of the meal sharing stories about their days in the military.

Their laughter filled the house.

Yūto mostly listened while quietly admiring the strong bond between the two old friends.

Seeing his father smile made him feel warm inside.

After they finished eating, William stood up with a wide smile.

"Come on. There's something I want to show you."

William then took them around the dojo for a tour.

The training hall was full of energy.

One group was practicing boxing.

Another group was practicing kung fu.

Farther inside, several students were training with wooden staffs and wooden swords while sparring under the watchful eyes of their instructors.

The sounds of punches, kicks, and wooden weapons echoed throughout the building.

Dozens of students trained with strong determination.

Yūto looked around in amazement.

"This place is amazing..."

William smiled proudly.

"It keeps me pretty busy."

Yūto tilted his head.

"Uncle William... Do you teach all these students by yourself?"

"I used to. Now I have a few people helping me."

Yūto studied him for a moment before innocently asking,

"...But you don't look very strong."

David immediately covered his face.

"Oh, no..."

William blinked.

"...What?"

David burst into laughter.

"You heard him yourself. I told you, kids never lie."

William crossed his arms and pretended to be offended.

"So, this old body doesn't look strong anymore?"

Yūto scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I didn't mean to be rude..."

David chuckled.

"Don't underestimate him. When we were soldiers, William was one of the strongest members of our unit."

Yūto's eyes widened.

"Really?"

William nodded proudly.

"Of course."

"Can you show me? I'd really like to see your martial arts," Yūto asked excitedly.

William smiled.

"Of course."

He rolled his shoulders before stretching both arms.

From the kitchen doorway, his wife, Misae, called out,

"Don't push yourself too hard! You're not young anymore. If you get hurt, I'll be the one taking care of you."

William waved his hand dismissively.

"I'm fine. I know my limits."

He stepped into the center of the training floor.

With well-trained movements, William demonstrated several boxing combinations before moving into a series of graceful kung fu forms.

Even though he was no longer young, every movement was still sharp, precise, and disciplined.

Yūto watched without blinking.

However, after only a few moves...

...William suddenly stopped.

"Ouch..."

He grabbed his lower back.

"My back..."

David could no longer hold back his laughter.

"Your wife is right. We're not young anymore."

William grimaced in pain.

"I have to inspire the younger generation. If old men like us stop setting an example... people might lose interest in martial arts."

Even though he was still in pain, he managed to smile.

Yūto politely clapped his hands.

"Your moves were amazing, Uncle William."

Without saying another word, he put his backpack on the floor.

Then...

He began repeating every movement William had just demonstrated.

One move.

Then another.

And another.

Each movement flowed naturally into the next.

Balanced.

Precise.

Smooth.

As if he'd been practicing for years.

The smile on William's face slowly disappeared.

David stared at him with wide eyes.

Neither of them said a word.

When Yūto finished the final stance, he turned around.

"So... what do you think?"

William and David exchanged silent looks.

Finally, William spoke.

"David... Your son has incredible talent."

He looked back at Yūto, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

"No... 'talented' isn't the right word. He's a diamond waiting to be polished. I've been teaching martial arts for decades. I've trained hundreds of students. But I've never seen anyone memorize an entire sequence after watching it only once."

David slowly nodded.

"I never knew he had this kind of talent either."

Yūto smiled shyly.

"So... were my moves good enough?"

William laughed.

"’Good enough’? They were amazing!"

He gave Yūto's shoulder a firm pat.

"You don't belong in an ordinary school. You belong here. At my academy."

Yūto's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Thank you, Uncle William."

For the first time in a long while, Yūto finally felt that he'd found a place where he could truly be himself.

On the drive home, Yūto looked much happier than he had that morning.

"Dad, Uncle William is really fun," Yūto said with a smile.

David chuckled.

"He is. When we served together, he always knew how to lift everyone's spirits."

Yūto looked out the window, unable to hide his excitement.

"I want to train there."

David glanced at him before looking back at the road.

"I'm glad to hear that."

He smiled warmly.

"I hope that academy becomes the place where you truly find your path in life."

"I hope so too."

‘It'll take a week to complete all of Yūto's school transfer documents,’ David thought.

"Since you're moving to a different education system, you'll have to start again as a first-year student. Is that okay?"

Yūto nodded.

"It's okay, Dad."

A little while earlier...

Before leaving William's dojo, David quietly pulled William aside.

"There are a few things I want to ask you."

William noticed the seriousness in his friend's voice.

"What is it?"

David glanced at Yūto, who was waiting near the car.

"Please... Take good care of him."

William smiled.

"You don't have to ask."

David slowly shook his head.

"There's one more thing."

His expression became serious.

"No matter what happens... never tell him that he's adopted."

William's smile slowly faded.

He studied David's face for a moment before finally nodding.

"I understand. I'll keep that promise."

David let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you."

William placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"To me... he's your son."

David gave a faint smile.

"He’s like a son to me, too."

That night...

David sat alone in his bedroom.

The room was quiet.

The only sound was the faint ticking of an old clock hanging on the wall.

In his hands, he held an old photograph.

It was a picture of a Japanese woman with a gentle smile.

His eyes never left the photograph.

They were filled with sadness.

A tear slowly rolled down his cheek.

A half-empty glass of beer sat on the table beside him, while the pale moonlight came through the window, bathing the room in silver light.

For a long time...

...he simply sat there in silence.

Knock... Knock...

David quickly wiped away his tears.

"Come in."

The door slowly opened.

Yūto peeked inside.

"Dad... I just wanted to say... thank you."

David looked up.

"For what?"

Yūto smiled.

"For being such an amazing father. I'm proud to be your son."

David's lips trembled.

A warm smile slowly appeared on his face.

"No..."

He stood up and walked toward Yūto.

"I should be the one thanking you. You've grown into a wonderful son."

David wrapped both arms tightly around him.

So tightly...

...that Yūto had trouble breathing.

"D-Dad... I can't breathe..." Yūto said.

David quickly let go and laughed awkwardly.

"Oops... Sorry."

Yūto laughed as well.

As he turned to leave the room, Yūto's eyes briefly fell on the photograph lying on the table.

A Japanese woman.

‘Who's that woman?’ Yūto thought.

"Good night, Dad."

"Good night, Yūto."

David smiled.

Suddenly, he remembered something.

"Ah, Yūto. You're coming with me to the supermarket tomorrow, okay? We need to buy some groceries."

"Okay, Dad."

The bedroom door slowly closed behind him.

David picked up the photograph and stared at it in silence.

"So many years have passed... but I still can't bring myself to forget you."

Outside, the wind blew softly beneath the moonlit sky.